Wednesday

disclosure: Apera bags provided me with a bag for myself and a bag for my giveaway. All opinions are my own.Last Christmas I found Apera Bags. I really had no idea how a bag could make life "easier." I mean, a bag is a bag right? WRONG! These bags are so much more.

Last year I got to try the sling bag. But this year, I got the Duffle Pack. This bag is sleek and sophisticated. There are no unnecessary or unwanted loops, straps or items hanging about outside the bag. This translates into a very slim profile that is modern and functional.I am taking this bag on my trip tomorrow. It will be my carry-on. Access to the inside compartment of the Duel Pack is unique and duffel-like. Lay the bag on its water resistant front and open along the zippered spine for wide, easy access to the main compartment. That means no more reaching in and losing items at the bottom of the traditional backpack. Everything is easy to find an right at your fingertips.It's great for organizing things too. I know exactly where my headphones are and I use the padded pocket for my phone. It's great! I highly recommend this bag to fitness people, but I also recommend it to anyone needing a duffle bag to carry. It's the best! You can order one from the info below or you can enter to win one here:

Regularly $119, now on sale for only $71.40!No coupon code needed -- 40% off sale price reflected in cart.

Sunday

We all have a t-shirt or tank that has some great saying on it that keeps us going right? I love my tank that says "Suck it up!" Reminds me of my favorite saying, "Suck it Up Buttercup!" Well, that is fine until that shirt is dirty and you still need motivation, or you are running and can't see the shirt. I recently found Momentum Jewelry when my friend Kelly Gregorakis wrote about them. I thought that it was so cool that I could wear a bracelet while I was working out and use it as a sweat band if needed.

Momentum offers hand-crafted, workout-friendly jewelry for fitness-focused individuals. Featuring our innovative MOTIVATE WRAP™ bracelet (patent pending).I love mine! How great is it to look down at my wrist when I am in the middle of a plank or looking up at during a chest press. I want to live every second of my life with passion, so that is the saying I chose. Which one would you choose? You don't have to have it on a bracelet... you can wear it on your shoe, you can order a necklace, or even on your head. You need to head over to http://www.designsthatmoveyou.com/ and check it out. And enter to win one of your own here:

Saturday

It's official! I am going to be running the Sarasota Half Marathon. With Ryan at the finish line... I had to do it! Man, that would be some nice motivation...I have to start training. I definitely needed some new shoes to start off this adventure. I contacted them about my 12 days of giveaways theme on the blog. I asked if they could provide me with a pair of shoes to review and giveaway, and THEY DID!Did you know that Reebok was founded for one of the best reasons I can think of... Runners wanted to run faster... The Speed Freese Cold Weather? Not a problem with these shoes. Wow! These shoes are incredible. I am going to North Carolina next week and I will definitely be running in them. Not only are they adorable, but there is so much more. This Reebok ONE training shoe is ready to handle the winter cold. They provide warmth, anti-friction lining for reduced moisture build-up and an outsole design that gives a "gecko-like" grip! That is so so cool!

These are the three color choices on these shoes.

I took these shoes out for my first couple of run/walks over the last week. Between treadmill and outside, they were great! They are so lightweight and they have anti-friction that keeps your foot from slipping. No matter how hard your workout is, you will feel better wearing these shoes!

I have been trying to find a way to get myself motivated to run. Rather than wait til 2015, I am starting now! I will be running two half marathons at the beginning of the year. One is this one, and the other is the Sarasota First Watch. I am offering a free entry to the Sarasota Music Half Marathon to you! See below for details on how to win.

I am really excited about this, but I am also really realistic. I know that I am probably not going to have an epic, fast time, but I look forward to pushing myself and feeling good about myself. At the end of the day, I only have to impress the "gal" in the mirror right?

Enjoy the botanical gardens as you run through Selby Gardens at Mile 10.

Girl Scout Cookie Zone

Really cool tech t-shirt (Yes, we have separate shirts for boys and girls!)

A great finisher’s medal that doesn’t weigh 5 lbs.

Post-race beer party (21+)

A 13.1 mile moving party!

This is not your typical Rock n’ Roll type event, there are more bands and entertainment stations per mile than any other half marathon or marathon in the country! And your dollar goes a lot further here — 22 local non-profits will receive a total $25K from organizers and the finish line full is a catered breakfast buffet (stuffed french toast anyone?) by one of the leading local caterers.

Sure to be an inspiring run! What are you waiting for? Register today for the coveted free entry!

Friday

~Follow Atkins for More Tips & Recipes
•Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtkinsDiet
•Twitter: https://twitter.com/atkinsinsider
•Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/atkinsinsider/
I have been going Atkins strong for almost 2 months now. I have cheated some but over I am doing well and I am 16 lbs. down from where I started! That is progress. I just registered for my first half marathon in 2 years (ok, so I have only ever done one but still... pretty huge!)
I have been working on the Atkins campaign for Fitfluential and when I started I had no idea about the products out there. I didn't know that there were frozen meals, meal replacement bars and even meal replacement shakes. This month, I tried the breakfast meals for the first time.
If you are anything like me, breakfast is the hardest meal to get in. It doesn't matter what time I wake up, I am always rushing out the door at the last minute. It doesn't make sense. LOL... anyways, the idea of a breakfast sandwich that I can heat up and go is very enticing.
These breakfast sandwiches offer enough protein to keep me satisfied through the morning. Truthfully, it tasted good. I put some tabasco sauce on it to give it a little kick, and it was great. My son liked his too! (that is a plus because he ALWAYS wants to stop on the way to school for fast food) One thing is for certain, the ingredients in this vs. fast food win hands down!
Some people are going to want to point out the bad things in the ingredients, but I want to tell you that no matter what, we are doing better than we were. I don't have time to be organic, so please don't try to compare this. I am seeing results! This works!
If you are looking for ways to stop the cravings, here are some tips!
1. Stick with food that is high in protein, vitamins and fiber. Make sure it's low in sugar. Atkins Advantage bars are great. I always have one in my purse.
2. Drink water! Thirst often is mistaken for hunger. Stay hydrated! If you struggle with this, add fruit into your water. It makes you feel fancy too!
3. Greek yogurt is a great snack. You can spruce it up with some blueberries, granola, almonds, or raspberries. YUM!
4. When I have a sweet tooth, I have low fat cottage cheese with a little bit of sugar free Jell-O powder over it. DELISH! and it cures the sweet tooth!
What are your snacking secrets?
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Atkins.

Thursday

disclosure: This post is sponsored by United Healthcare but all opinions are my own.
Insurance shopping can be EXTREMELY stressful, but this go around, I am learning that it doesn't have to be.

UnitedHealthCare is making it as easy as 1-2-3. Here is some help with open enrollment.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the Affordable Care Act or ACA, but I’m not sure how much you know about it. In the simplest terms, the ACA helps more people get quality and affordable health insurance. It gives people the consistency and flexibility to make informed choices about their health care in ways they’ve never had before.Did you know that almost 87% of health insurance applicants were eligible to receive a discount last year? Many are not aware of the money they can save by knowing just a little more about health insurance. I will be providing tools and assistance to make finding the right health insurance as simple and easy as possible. I want to help you learn more about this campaign and how it might help you.The more you
know about the AffordableCare Act, the better
prepared you'll be to make smart decisions about your coverage. First,learn
about what has changed in health care. The ACA has raised the Medicaid limits
insome states so more
are eligible and is offering subsidies to eligible income levels abovemedicaid but still in the realm of struggling.
See what open enrollment is all about and whyit matters to you. Essentially, you need to use the time of open
enrollment to get the properhealth plan bought and
set for your family. Find a plan between Nov 15 and Feb 15 to havecoverage from the marketplace in 2015.

There are
certain qualifying events that allow youto use a special enrollment period. The exchanges or the
marketplace is a website thatallows
you to compare plans from a variety of providers much like Travelocity. This
websitewill be either the
government Healthcare.gov website or your state’s individual marketplacewebsite.

So, you are discovering all of this new information about health care and what’s involved in the shopping process, but it’s only fair that you should know how to get the most out of your health care plan. Costs within health care can be daunting. Check your deductible and out-of-pockets on a regular basis to stay ahead. When deciding on a plan, look for value ads provided by the company such as nurse lines, apps, and health club discounts too! Also, make sure to ask you Doctor how much medical tests will cost and if there are less costly alternatives.

Best of luck in this process. I hope this helps to make things a little easier. For me, Health insurance shopping has been really important. I left my job in May and had to shop for insurance. I didn't do my homework and relied on someone else to find my plan. I got a very inexpensive plan, but NONE of my doctors accepted my insurance, and the only people who did were 45 min. away. That was a problem. Especially when I broke my foot. It opened my eyes to being informed. At the end of the day, the only person who is going to check and double check things is me!

Before I even started shopping, I contacted my Gyn. That is my most important doctor because I have had health issues over the last year and ovarian cancer runs in my family. I called them and asked which plans they were going to accept. I made sure that I had an informed list from them. Then I called my primary care to ensure that they would accept the choices. Now, I am informed and ready to find the best plan for my money. I am taking into account deductibles, prescription plans, and co-pay cost. It's a little scary, but I know that I am prepared for shopping this time. I hope you are too.

Disclosure: ShowerPill gave me product to review and giveaway but all opinions are my own.

A couple years ago, I was introduced to a company called ShowerPill. First of all, I love the name. Wouldn't it be a time saver to take a magic pill that was a shower. (Even though I do enjoy a nice hot shower after a hard workout) Although this product isn't a "pill," it is in fact a remedy. It's a great thing to have in your gym bag for a "runch" (running lunch) or a quick workout where you don't have time for a full shower. The ShowerPill is "an antibacterial wipe for your body. It is like wiping down with soap and water which leaves skin feeling clean, fresh and moisturized. One ShowerPill sport wipe cleans your entire body. It will save you time, decrease chance of skin infections, and keep you fresh and clean when a traditional shower is not possible.

-Extra thick like a washcloth

-Kills 99.99% of germs including Staph

-Aloe Vera & Vitamin E

-Quick dry solution, no sticky residue

-Light fresh scent

-Hypoallergenic & Gentle on Sensitive Skin

-Paraben & Alcohol FREE

Each individually wrapped towel fits conveniently into your gym bag.

Now you have a chance to win your own box of ShowerPill wipes... Tell me, what type of workout would you do that would need a ShowerPill? Don't forget to enter my other giveaways.

Monday

Disclosure: Kool'N Fit was given to me to try and also to give away to my readers. All opinions are my own.12 Days of Christmas Giveaways! Don't forget to enter yesterday's Polar Loop giveaway here:POLAR LOOP fitness trackerWe all have those days when we are so so sore during a workout. I know I have. When it gets like this, we have to find a way to get through our workouts because it's just what we do. I was recently introduced to Kool'N Fit, by my good friend and fellow Polar Ambassador, Suzy. Suzy is an Ultrawoman... (Suzy's blog) You need to check it out. If anyone would know about sore muscles, it's Suzy! Kool'N fit is the best and only Performance Spray on the market. The original formula comes from Europe (Germany), was developed in the 1880's by German Pharmacist and has been in the same family ever since. Also it was marketed since the 1880's with exception during the 2 wars. In 1984 one of the family members came to CA and started the business here in the USA. In the meantime many of the NFL teams are our customers, thousands of athletes, from cycling to running and tri-Athlons, are using the product as an edge over their competition. It's an all natural none-ozone spray; 15 different herbal oils are compounded into a great solution, which works on contact. There is no need to rub it in. It will activate once it is absorbed, in about 1 minute's time and the overall effect of the product is 3.5 to 4 hours. It can be applied as many times as needed.

It is antispasmodic, relives cramps almost instantly, it increases blood flow by up to 31% under the area it is applied to*, and it's a pain relief. Applied before any activity it speeds up the warm up process, so that precious time is not used to warm up the muscles, used during longer runs to alleviate tightness and fatigue and provide the extra energy to finish, and after the events to allow the fast exchange of toxins, lactic acid to be replaced by fresh oxygenated blood, nutrients and cool soothing relief to the overworked muscles. That in turn allows for a faster and more complete recovery time. There is no animal testing done nor does the product contain any PEDs. That is why many Universities and Colleges use the product successfully in their athletic departments.

What intrigues me most about this is using it during a workout. I think back to my half marathon, and I wish I had this. It would have been great to be able to spray this for a quick boost to a sore or crampy muscle. You should try it! It really does help!!!You are in luck! I am giving away 6 (4oz)bottles and 6 (100 spray) refillables to take along during a run. What is the most difficult workout you do? Would this spray help you? And make sure you enter my other giveaways!

Sunday

Disclosure: Polar gave me a Polar Loop to give away, but all of my opinions are my own.Yay!!! It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

Yes, I mean it's holiday time, but even better than that, it's time for GIVEAWAYS!!!

The first giveaway for this year is a Polar Loop!!!
I know that everyone is talking about getting an activity tracker these days and I agree that is it a must-have for this holiday season. But which one should you get? Well, it's obvious! Why not get one from the best in the business. Polar has been a leading developer of Heart Rate monitors for years.

The design is cool and now comes in colors other than black. (I have a black one, and now I am going to have top shop for a blue or black currant) I am loving the new colors! Sleek, sexy and stylish!!! My giveaway will be for a black currant loop.

How does it make you move? It tracks every step you make... it tracks your activity... and it tells you how many calories you burn. A unique feature that the Polar Loop has is that it will sync with a bluetooth unit and strap. Now you can have your daily activity and your heart rate during a workout all in one device! Too awesome! My son, my boyfriend and I all have one. We have had to go for late night walks in order to meet our daily goals, and doing it together certainly makes it more fun. It is really simple to set up, and it charges by connected to a computer or an outlet. It will also sync to your smart phone. One thing that I really love is seeing how I am sleeping. I know that sleep is an area where I need help, and this tracker keeps me aware of how much sleep I am getting a night and what type of sleep I am getting.

So, it's time... Enter for a chance to win your very own Polar Loop (Black currant)

And tell me... What activities do you do to keep active during the holidays?

Monday

Here I am a month into this diet and I am down 14 lbs. I am pretty pleased with that weight loss thus far. I know that I can be stricter as well, so I am looking forward to staying true to the diet this month. Not only will I be trying to keep at it, but I have also joined a DietBet to help. I can win money if I lose 4% of my body weight for the month. I WILL LOSE WEIGHT IN DECEMBER!!!! No excuses! You can join here: http://www.dietbetter.com/games/54225
Diets are tough because they take planning. I've said it before and I will say it again... I don't plan! I fail at planning every single time! Atkins allows me to be unplanned easily. I can always stop by the store and grab a box of their Blueberry Greek Yogurt Bars and keep them in my office or even my car. Simple and easy! And DELISH~
Atkins has a total of 24 different varieties of snacks and meal bars. There is definitely something for everyone. The Blueberry greek yogurt bars are my favorite! And lately my job has been so busy that I don't have time to stop and eat. This is a great way to get the healthy eating I need in very little time. There is enough protein and fiber to keep me going through the rest of the day without feeling hungry.
So as I begin this December, I know that I won't let the holidays stop me from being healthy. I know that I can avoid the cookies and candies by staying full and keeping my water nearby!
How do you avoid the holiday craziness in your diet? Please comment below!~ I need your advice! Let's help each other!
Follow along with Atkins on their social media channels:
https://www.facebook.com/Atkinsdiet
https://twitter.com/atkinsinsiderhttp://wwww.pinterest.com/atkinsinsider
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Atkins.

Friday

My Atkins update! What to do when planning fails!
I am notorious for diet planning fails. I don't plan well. I just don't. I have tried everything from even hiring a trainer to help me plan my meals. I am a single mom and busy Realtor and meal planning is where I drop the ball. For all of you who want to jump through the screen and shake me to tell me how important this is, I KNOW! I know, I know, I know!!! There is a wall up that I can't seem to tear down! I am not a planner.
Well, Atkins makes frozen dinners. AND guess what??? They taste GREAT! The only planning you will have to do is, WHICH ONE?

Seriously, when Atkins sent me the first few flavors, I liked them, but thought that it made sense that they would send me the good ones to try. So I did some investigating on my own. I have had the Chicken Pot Pie, the beef Merlot, the Meatloaf with Portobello gravy, Mexican style chicken, and a really yummy pizza that will be coming out in December. They really are delicious! The Swedish meatballs today are my favorite, but they are all great. Perfect for someone who is on the go and didn't remember to pack a lunch!

I know that people are going to tell me that there is too much sodium or that's not the way to get healthy... you need to eat fresh food without preservatives. Here is my response. I understand that you want me to eat the way you do. I respect it. I have tried it and it doesn't work for me. I try that but then I get into a rush and I ruin my diet. This is a livable way for me to get healthy. And the research behind Atkins is here. It is real. This works. I am down 14 lbs since I first posted about Atkins. So, for me, it works! We have a huge problem in this country with carbs! It is estimated that 34 million Americans have metabolic syndrome. If left uncorrected it can lead to type 2 diabetes. 25 million people are affected by type 2 diabetes. I don't want to be one of them. I know that I have a problem with sugars, and I want to stop it here and now!
I also know that when I went in for blood tests with my doctor, he told me that I had higher triglycerides and lower "good" cholesterol. This comes from excessive carbohydrate intake. I have not eaten a tons of carbs in my life, but it shows me that I eat too many. This diet is perfect for me. I plan to get my blood tested again after a few months as well.
You can follow Atkins here:
o Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtkinsDiet
o Twitter: https://twitter.com/atkinsinsider
o Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/atkinsinsider/
So, have you tried the Atkins diet? Have you done a low carbohydrate diet? Give me your advice... Tell me and my readers what works for you!
With Atkins
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Atkins.

Thursday

My Goals for losing weight on the Atkins 40 Plan. Here's what I want to learn...
• The difference between good carbs and bad carbs
• How to eliminate added sugars
• How to incorporate healthy fats
• How easy it is to adapt to a low carb lifestyle
• How to lose weight, feel great, while enjoying healthy delicious foods with a wide range of food choices.
You all know that I needed a "kick start" for my diet. Things were just not working for me. I needed to "shift (my) body from burning primarily carbs to burning primarily fat, kick-starting weight loss." It's been a week since I began the Atkins plan.
I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. I consume no more than 20 net carbs a day. (range is 18-22) I have to watch for hidden carbs. Especially when going to a restaurant... I have to pay attention. I am learning to ask a lot of questions. I used to be afraid to "bother" the server, but now I just explain that I am trying REALLY hard to be healthy. Here is the list of foods I can eat on this diet. http://www.atkins.com/Program/Phase-1//What-You-Can-Eat-in-this-phase.aspx
I am going to stay with Phase 1 until next week when I travel to Houston for an event. Then I am going to move onto Phase 2, the balancing phase.
Here are some things that surprised me so far:
1. I get to eat more calories. I have tried VERY hard to lose weight and every time I do, I cut my calories to around 1200 a day. With Atkins I can have 1500-1800 calories. That is almost 25% higher than my normal diet! HOLY COW! I was thrilled... No being hungry. And I wasn't... I haven't been.
2. Good carbs are welcome! I was under the impression that I should AVOID carbs at all costs! CARBS=BAD I was pleasantly surprised that I could eat vegetables. I will confess that I don't eat a ton of veggies, but I love broccoli and I could eat it for every meal. I also love Edamame. My son and I are addicted to it... Atkins actually recommends more veggies than the recommended amount from USDA. Yay! So there are no worries that you aren't doing something that isn't a way of life!
3. Atkins is not just, "Hey let's eat red meat and cheese all day!" There are healthy fats and unhealthy fats. Avacado, Olive Oil, Nuts, Dairy, and Greek Yogurt are our friends! We need to eat those fats to be healthy!
Here are a list of truths and myths about the Atkins plan. Click here: https://www.atkins.com/library/truths---myths.aspxThe biggest myth is.... (photo from theblaze.com)
Have you tried the Atkins 40 plan? What is stopping you?
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Atkins.

Over the last few months, I have been trying to get myself back on track. I struggle with eating my emotions. I can have a great day and then right before bed, I blow it... I "reward" myself by eating something NOT healthy. My go-to foods are usually carbs... any kind of carbs. When Fitfluential chose me to try the Atkins program, I had to agree. I know that bad carbs are my enemy, and what I am doing is not working. Not only is it not working for me to lose weight, but recent blood work showed that my good cholesterol is low. The doctor told me that the way to fix that is to eat more protein and less carbs... so here I am.

What is the Atkins diet?
· The Atkins Diet is designed to flip the body's metabolic switch from burning carbs to burning fat. This is achieved by optimal protein intake, adequate healthy fat intake, and low carbohydrate consumption. As a result, hunger and cravings are reduced more quickly with a low carb approach than with a low calorie/ high carb diet.
So, here we go! I am ready to begin. I look forward to seeing what the results will bring. I deserve to feel better and feel better about myself.

What do you know about the Atkins diet? Have you ever tried it?
I will be trying the Atkins diet over the next few months, and I will be trying their protein shakes and snack bars. I will even try a week on a diet (maybe more) prepared by the lead Atkins dietician. Follow along to see how it works! I am really excited and committed to this program.

Blog disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Board, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own.

Hey Mom and Dad friends... Have you started saving for your child's college education? Florida Prepaid’s most popular Prepaid Plans have been drastically reduced! Plus, the $50 application fee will be waived until December 31! This is a great investment! Check out all the plan options. I know that like me, you all recognize that your child HAS to go to college. Check out this graphic... Yikes! Times they are a-changing... College is WAY too important to miss. I want my son to have the best chance... I bet you do too! Head over to Myfloridaprepaid.com to set up your plan today.

As my son gets older, I start to realize that the years are passing quicker than I could have ever imagined (Isn't that what old people always said when we were young???) My son will be 11 in a week, and I remember when we started talking about Florida Prepaid. My son was two... and it seems like yesterday. We had just sold our home and had a really great return on it. I convinced my ex-husband to use some of that money to pay for a Florida Prepaid.

I am thankful we did, but we are not done. This year, the Dormitory Plan is now sold in one-year increments. What a great time to add this feature! Even though my son has promised to live with me forever (Oh you have to love the innocence of a child... lol) I recognize that he will actually want to leave home to go to college. How great it will be that he will have this Dormitory Plan to help us with cost!

Yesterday was the beginning open enrollment for the Florida Prepaid. They now offer a university savings plan that starts at just $43 a month! The new 1-Year Florida University Plan lets you purchase up to four years at a State University, but
one year at a time! More affordable. Love that. This way, someone special in your life can also purchase a year for your child. I know that my parents would have been all over this!

If families didn’t previously believe they could
afford to start saving, now they CAN.

And last but not least....
Myth: Florida Prepaid can only be used at in-state public institution.
Truth: The value of plans can be applied to out of state institutions and private colleges.

Myth: A child has to use their plan as soon as they graduate high school.
Truth: They actually have 10 years from high school graduation to use it.

Myth: If a child doesn’t go to college, families lose the money they put into their plan.
Truth: Families can transfer a plan to another child/family member or get a full refund of the money they paid in.

Sunday

Want to win a pair of CrossFit Nano 4.0 shoes? How about a Polar Loop? Read on to see how you can.

Don't we all want this? Let's do it!

Over the last year, I have been hosting DietBets. The participants and I have lost almost 9,000 lbs this last year. Can you believe that??? 9,000 lbs!!! Wow!My newest DietBet starts this week. You can begin weighing in now, and the bet begins tomorrow, but you have the next two weeks to join us. One winner will receive a Polar Loop activity tracker. All of the winners will split the pot. Tell your friends. Right now there are only 6 people signed up for the bet so your odds are really good! Head over to https://www.dietbetter.com/games/48713 right now to get signed up. This is the first of 3 months of DietBet that I am doing to get myself in gear! If you want to lose weight, you want to join this bet!!! Your weight is private. None of the participants nor I will know your weight. I am also giving away a pair of CrossFit Reebok Nano 4.0. These shoes are great for CrossFit, but they are great for weight training as well. I love mine. You can read my review here: http://www.mindysfitnessjourney.com/2014/08/back-at-it-and-ready-to-feel-good-in-my.html

Wednesday

"Gosh, I am fat!" "OMG, why does my face look so fat in pictures?" "Wow, I am a fat ass!" "Ugh... I think it's the mirror" "Oh that picture makes me look fat!" These are all things that I saw to myself on a daily basis. I call myself fat over and over again all day. It sucks, but you want to know what hurts so much more? It hurts to hear other people agree with me. And it hurts to know that it isn't the picture that makes me look fat, it's the fat that makes me look fat! Does anyone get really upset being called fat, and then continue eating something unhealthy... guilty!For the majority of my life, I was not fat. I said I was fat when my pants didn't fit right or there was a little tiny roll over my bikini. I called myself fat all the time. And I didn't feel it really... I didn't mean it really... I was one of those girls who said it to be reassured I wasn't.

Well, now I get reassured that I am. UGH! It sucks! I know that the majority of people in my life don't think my weight gain came on suddenly, but I do. It seems that one day I started seeing pictures of a girl that I didn't recognize. I was in denial. I also made excuses (oh I am having health problems) Well, now my health is clear from the problems I was having but now I have replaced those problems with new ones. I gained weight over the last year. I don't recognize myself in the mirror or in pictures.Well, there are two choices: Live with it or Fix it!On Monday, I joined the YMCA and Weight Watchers. I used to think that I was an athlete and I didn't need Weight Watchers because that was for people who don't know how to eat right. I have finally realized that I don't know how to eat right. I have a problem with food. I need to fix it. I need to feel good about myself. I hope that these two choices will help me get to my goal. I want to lose 30 lbs in the next few months. Numbers are just numbers, so I just want to lose... if I don't get to 30, I will survive. But the numbers will go down!!!

Friday

Disclosure: DietBet is compensating me for this bet and Polar has given me the Polar Loop to use as a prize.

DietBet Begins September 15th! Join me!

The time is NOW! No more excuses and no more health issues! It's time to get serious. If you are anything like me, you have said these things over and over again to yourself. Then you find every excuse in the world to make bad and unhealthy choices. Then you kick yourself later for it. It sucks!

Let's work together to get rid of this weight for good... forever!

DietBet has approached me about hosting another DietBet on September 15th. I have done these before and they work. It's a chance to bet on yourself. I know that I can lose weight so I am betting $25 that I will!

Everyone who joins pays $25. We will have to lose 4% of our body weight in a month. When we win, we will split the pot with the other winners in our bet. I usually win and when I do, I get my money back, along with some extra (a lot of times my money was doubled.) DietBet is very good about ensuring people aren't cheating too. Don't worry!

This is Kate. She joined her first DietBet with me. She did it! She is still looking fabulous too! She is a good friend of mine!

It's so easy! I will be using MyFitnessPal.com to help track my eating. I have found that if I don't track it, I won't eat right. Please feel free to join me there. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ArtzeFartze

I am honest and real. When I cheat, you will know it. I have EVERY reason not to cheat though. I am ready to be "me" again.

Here is my review of the Polar Loop on Amazon.com and I stand behind it completely!

I did a lot of research on this product before I got it. I previously had a different activity tracker. The Polar LOOP does so much more than any of the other products I researched. Once it arrived, it didn't disappoint. I am impressed by the simplicity of the syncing. It displays a graph of how long I slept, how long I was active and even how long I sat.

I love that I can press the button to see how many steps I have taken, how many calories I have burned and my activity level. It also displays the time which is a great feature and very different from other trackers.

My burn increases. I do wear a FT60 so I plan on wearing them both together to compare data. But even without the H7 it is easy-

Determining the Loop size was so simple. I was a little nervous about setting it up, but there was no issue.

I am a teacher and all of my students think it looks super cool as well.

The Loop would be a great gift for anyone who wants to be more active or is already active. Polar is such a great company with THE best customer service!

Give me your BEST weight loss tip! We need all the advice that we can get. If you would like to be featured on my blog with your success story, please email mindy@mindysfitnessjourney.com

Wednesday

I have just gotten back into working out since my latest health issue that has kept me away from the gym for months. Getting the motivation and excitement back is tough. I need the fire back, and right now, it's definitely a struggle.Nothing helps that struggle more than some great looking and feeling running gear. Reebok just sent me some awesome running shoes to try out. These shoes are awesome. They are the Reebok Z Goddess shoes.If there is one thing right now that I need, it is motivation. Well these shoes give it to me. I love how cute I feel in them, and then well the rest is just added bonus!First of all, I love the color! So hot! And then there is the fact that they feel great! I have foot issues right away with shoes and it takes a while to break them in. Not these shoes! I loved them from the first step on the treadmill. They make me feel like I am gliding when I run or walk.

Whether you are running, walking or working on your feet all day, these shoes will feel great! You need to try them. If you want to win them, see below for a giveaway!

A few months ago I did a review and giveaway on Skora Running shoes. You can read about it Here!

I really love my Skora Running shoes, but I didn't like running with them on concrete as much as running on a treadmill or grass. When I was discussing this with other runners and my contact at Skora, it was brought to my attention that Skora had created the Skora Fit Shoe. This shoe has more padding and is geared toward someone who wants minimal but needs more from their shoe... that is me. Skora Running shoes are definitely minimal, but my feet can't handle completely minimal. The Skora Fit Shoe is amazing.

The website describes the following: "Crafted on our anatomical REALFIT last from a seamless piece of stretch airmesh, FIT provides an unparalleled level of comfort with support and stretch provided where you need it most."

"Coolest shoes ever!" -a fifth grader

These may be my favorite shoes yet! You have to try them. They are also very cool looking. One of my 5th grade students told me that they were "the coolest shoes ever" and they looked like "space running shoes!" I love it! And I agree. The look is amazing!

While I am not cleared to run yet, I have gone on some walks with them and I love them. They are supportive and make my feet feel great! You need to try them, or hey try to win them. Check out the giveaway below.

Copper wishes they had some his size too!

Right now they are offering a site-wide semi-annual sale of 25% off. What a deal! Skora Running shoes are only sold through their website. Tell them Mindy's Fitness Journey sent you!!! And when you refer a friend, you will get $15!!!!

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DISCLAIMER

I am not a registered dietitian and do not have any official training, certifications, or degrees in nutrition or fitness. My blog is simply a documentation of my life. The views I express are mine alone, based on my own experiences, and should not be taken as medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or a trained professional before starting a new diet or fitness plan.